Great breakfast places for granola in Vancouver
Sure we all love savoury plates of eggs Benny drowning in rich, creamy hollandaise sauce but let’s face it, sometimes brunch fans need to go the healthier route. Nutty, hearty and with just a hint of sweetness, granola is a healthful breakfast alternative that feels indulgent without all of the caloric guilt. Check out these Vancouver breakfast spots if you’re in the mood for a lighter morning meal.
Greenhorn Cafe
994 Nicola St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2C8A not-so-secret neighbourhood gem, this Nicola Street café is a popular hideaway for West End locals. The breakfast menu – displayed on oversized butcher paper hung from the wall – is offered daily and includes a number of European inspired dishes (tortilla Española, Belgian waffles, quiche) and a homemade granola that is simple, sweet and filling. Topped with yogurt, vanilla-spiced pear and seasonal fruit, this breakfast bowl is ideally accompanied by a creamy cortado. The cozy café has plenty of seating, eye-catching decor (take note of the ornate red glass chandelier) and an impressive vintage vinyl collection in the back.
Sophie's Cosmic Cafe
2095 4th Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6J 1N3If you’re looking for a fresh and healthy breakfast but still want that old-school diner feel, head to Sophie’s Cosmic Café where you’ll find home-style dishes served with a side of kitsch. By-pass the lumberjack breakfast special and check out the lighter menu options for a few low-cholesterol alternatives. Sophie’s signature organic granola is tasty and wholesome, but the house-made ashoura wheat is a unique and complex dish that’s definitely worth a try. This Middle Eastern breakfast bowl features a chewy mix of organic red winter wheat, nuts, raisins, cinnamon and vanilla, all served with a fruit cup and yogurt.
Le Marche St Geroge
4393 St. George St, Vancouver, BC V5V 4A3This beloved community hub in Riley Park looks as though it could have been lifted out of the pages of Kinfolk. Part corner store, part café, Le Marche St. George is a local favourite thanks to its curated selection of gourmet pantry products, artisan-made lifestyle goods (cozy textiles, ceramics, apothecary items), and its delicious food and beverage offerings. Known for its sweet and savoury crepes, the daytime menu also features a healthful granola bowl served with Birchwood Dairy yogurt and house-made fruit compote. Well-worn vintage furnishings and a laid-back seat-yourself policy make this cozy neighbourhood spot feel just like home.
Terra Breads
1605 Manitoba St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 0B8Those who like to snack on the go should visit Terra Breads to pick up a few packages of their house-made artisanal granola. Head baker Mary Mackay’s gourmet blend is inspired by her own family recipe and features a delightful melange of wholesome ingredients: clusters of soft organic oats are tossed with dried fruit and nuts, drizzled with honey, and then oven toasted for a golden finish. The result: a chewy-yet-crunchy granola that can be enjoyed by the fistful straight out of the bag. Terra Breads also carries a sweetly spiced apricot pistachio variation.
Nelson The Seagull
315 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2J4Some might say that paying a visit to this Gastown café and NOT sampling their fresh-baked, thick-cut sourdough bread is somewhat of a travesty, but those folks haven’t tried the house-made muesli. Toasted, nutty granola is served in an oversized shallow bowl, topped with fresh strawberries and accompanied with a side of plain yogurt and honey. The entire spread is delivered to your table atop a rustic wooden board, an ideal canvas for avid Instagrammers. After your breakfast, be sure to peek inside the community mailbox drawers for a glimpse at a few local love notes.
Granola King Wholesome Foods Ltd The
107 Bowser Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7P 3H1Fancy prepping your own yogurt parfait at home? This North Van company reigns supreme when it comes to pre-packaged granola. Rich in nutrients and sweetened with honey, the Granola King’s signature recipe features a wholesome mix of 11 all-natural ingredients, including organic rolled oats, sunflower seeds, almonds, pumpkin seeds and dried sweetened cranberries. Both the classic recipe and a hazelnut hemp version are packaged in five different sizes and are available online, at local farmers markets and at select grocery stores across the Lower Mainland.
Café Medina
780 Richards St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3A4No list about breakfast in Vancouver would be complete without a shout out to Medina. Never without a line of hungry locals and tourists snaking out the door and down the street, this downtown restaurant is the stuff of legends. And while it might have earned its reputation for its sweet Liege-style waffles and exotic Mediterranean-inspired brunch dishes, the granola here is a solid (if slightly less exciting) breakfast option. The house-toasted hazelnut granola is served alongside fresh seasonal fruit and creamy yogurt. Pair your granola with a lavender latte for a fragrant morning pick-me-up.
The Birds & The Beets
100-55 Powell St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1E9Granola fans can get their oats two ways at this new(ish) café on the edge of Gastown. The simple breakfast menu – available daily starting at 7:00 am – features whole-grain granola paired with Nordic-style Filmjolk yogurt, or a classic bircher muesli made with rolled oats and chia seeds. Both dishes are just $5, making them an affordable treat to help you kick-start your day. Need a caffeine fix? Espresso drinks are made with beans from Bows & Arrows and Matchstick Coffee Roasters. There’s even an in-house florist if you want to pick up a hand-tied bouquet of fresh-cut blooms.
Chambar Restaurant
568 Beatty St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3Priced at $9, the granola is the most affordable breakfast dish on offer at this swank European eatery on Beatty Street. Chambar might be known for its moules frites and Belgian beer selection, but it’s actually a surprisingly great spot for an early-morning meal. The simple and fresh granola is available weekdays and weekends, and comes with seasonal fruit and creamy yogurt. With impeccable service, refined decor and an upscale ambiance, this is a lovely spot to take clients for a breakfast meeting or enjoy a fancy brunch with someone special.
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